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acalkins1957 · 03-26-2023, 08:40 PM

I logged in and started this post and finished it the next day. After finishing it I posted it and then realized I had been logged out so I'm not sure if it posted or not, can't find it, so here it is again and I have tried to include everything I could remember.

Both air conditioners stopped working and the thermostat does not appear to have power, blank screen. When I noticed this, I checked the EMS panel to see if I had lost power or just the AC's. The EMS panel was blank as if I had no power. This started the troubleshooting process and I determined that I had power to the bus, to the breakers in the distribution panel and to the
AC's themselves by checking the yellow 110 wire at the AC. I then checked the bus outlets and the microwave and all had power. I decided to start the gen to see if this made a difference with the power panel. Gen wouldn't start so I checked the batteries. The 12v chassis batteries had about 12.1 volts and the coach batteries are completely dead, less than 1 volt. They are about 6 months old.

At this point I am inclined to believe that I have 3 separate problems, thermostat, EMS panel, and a charging problem. If this is the case, replacing the first two items would be relatively simple. Just wanting to know if they could all be related or not.

THANKS in advance!

Dutch Star Don · 03-26-2023, 09:02 PM

I think you're confusing 110 volt power and 12 volt power. Things like your AC and microwave run off of 110 volt power which you have. Your AC thermostat is 12 volt powered along with your EMS panel, even though it reports your 110 volt status. Fix your batteries and you'll solve your thermostat and EMS panel issue. Once you do that, you need to see why the batteries went dead.

Check your inverter/charger panel and make sure the battery charger is turned on.

twinboat · 03-26-2023, 10:51 PM

The charging problem is your only problem, as mentioned , your other problems will go away with good battery voltage.

Your inverter/charger will not charge dead batteries. If you start the main engine, it should charge the house batteries enough to allow the inverter/charger to take over, if it's working. Sounds like it's not.

Check large fuse in battery compartment, check inverter/charger circuit breakers down in the compartment, and check cable connections and switchs from inverter to batteries.

acalkins1957 · 03-26-2023, 11:41 PM

Awesome! I'll work on the batteries and check out the inverter. As far as starting the engine, that's what started this whole problem. The rv just stopped in the middle of the road. Everything chassis related just shut off. Engine, dash, lights, etc. Towed the rv to a freightliner dealer/repair where it sat for 6 months without being plugged in. They were unable to obtain a wiring diagram so they never worked on it. Finally towed it home where I plugged it in. Everything coach wise came on and I didn't get back to it for about a week. That's when I discovered the issues in this post. So, when I get the charging problem fixed I'll post about the chassis electrical problems. Some advice in that area would be greatly appreciated also.

153stars · 03-27-2023, 07:03 AM

Put a car charger on them might be too low for smart charger .The boost function will usually get them going. I try to keep a 10 amp dumb charger at all times too.

Lowflyer1 · 03-27-2023, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acalkins1957

Awesome! I'll work on the batteries and check out the inverter. As far as starting the engine, that's what started this whole problem. The rv just stopped in the middle of the road. Everything chassis related just shut off. Engine, dash, lights, etc. Towed the rv to a freightliner dealer/repair where it sat for 6 months without being plugged in. They were unable to obtain a wiring diagram so they never worked on it. Finally towed it home where I plugged it in. Everything coach wise came on and I didn't get back to it for about a week. That's when I discovered the issues in this post. So, when I get the charging problem fixed I'll post about the chassis electrical problems. Some advice in that area would be greatly appreciated also.

That happened to the previous owner of my coach, everything in the coach died on the road. Turned out to be a "disintegrated" master switch.